Wireless Access Port Time Division Multiplexing for Interference Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless local area networks with wireless switches and access ports face interference issues due to overlapping signal patterns from omni-directional antennas, leading to potential signal loss, especially in busy networks where access ports may interfere with each other during simultaneous transmissions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where a wireless switch determines a time-ordered sequence of time slots for each access port, allowing selective antenna use and staggered transmission to avoid interference, using directional antennas and an antenna selector to manage signal transmission based on the calculated time slots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If access ports use omni-directional antennas for wireless transmission, then coverage area is improved, but signal interference between adjacent access ports increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the transmission timeline into discrete time slots, assigning specific time intervals to different access ports. This temporal segmentation allows multiple access ports with omni-directional antennas to coexist without interference, as each port transmits only during its allocated slot while others remain silent or receive only during their designated periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic time-division multiplexing where access ports transmit in repeating cycles of time slots. Each access port follows a periodic transmission schedule coordinated by the wireless switch, creating a rhythm of transmission and reception that prevents simultaneous overlapping signals while maintaining continuous network operation.
2Reliability
If access ports transmit beacon signals simultaneously for network maintenance, then network reliability is improved, but interference between access ports increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beacon signal transmission process into separate time slots assigned to different access ports. The wireless switch coordinates these time slots to ensure that beacon signals from multiple access ports are transmitted sequentially rather than simultaneously, maintaining network reliability while eliminating interference between the beacon transmissions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If directional antennas are used to reduce interference, then signal interference is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex directional antennas, the patent segments the transmission time into slots and assigns them to different access ports. This temporal segmentation achieves interference reduction through a simpler approach that maintains existing omni-directional antenna hardware while preventing signal overlap through coordinated time-division multiplexing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic time-slot assignment where access ports transmit in a coordinated sequence rather than simultaneously. This periodic transmission schedule, managed by the wireless switch, reduces interference without requiring complex antenna structures, as the time coordination itself provides the spatial separation effect.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for allowing time multiplexing in a wireless network comprising two or more access port and a wireless switch includes receiving a time ordered sequence comprising a plurality of time slots from the wireless switch. Next, the signals are transmitted according to the time ordered sequence. In another embodiment, an access port used in a wireless network that includes a wireless switch comprises a transceiver operable to receive a time ordered sequence comprising a plurality of time slots calculated by the wireless switch. Further the access port comprises a plurality of antennas coupled to an antenna selector; the antenna selector configured to couple selectively the transceiver with at least one of the plurality of antennas based at least in part on the time ordered sequence.